Overview
This series of courses is designed to train municipal and county finance personnel in the responsibility of everyday fiscal operations. All eight courses are required for the state designation of Certified Municipal Finance Officer (CMFO).
The required courses:
- Municipal Finance Administration (no prerequisites)
- Municipal Budget Preparation (no prerequisites)
- Municipal Current Fund Accounting I (prerequisite: Municipal Budget Preparation, Introduction to Accounting)
- Municipal Current Fund Accounting II (prerequisite: Municipal Current Fund Accounting I)
- Municipal Capital and Trust Fund Accounting (prerequisite: Municipal Current Fund Accounting II)
- Municipal Utility Fund Accounting (prerequisite: Municipal Capital and Trust Fund Accounting)
- Principles of Financial Management (prerequisite: Municipal Utility Fund Accounting)
- Preparation of Annual Financial Statements (prerequisite: Principles of Financial Management)
We also offer the Certified Municipal Finance Officers' Examination Review: Statutes Section and Certified Municipal Finance Officers' Examination Review: Accounting Section courses. These courses are not required but are highly recommended for those who plan to sit for the State exam.
The Municipal Finance Administration (MFA) for CMFOs course is an option for the designation of Certified Municipal Clerk, Qualified Purchasing Agent, and/or Registered Public Purchasing Official/Specialist, the alternatives being MFA for Clerks and MFA for Public Purchasing Personnel.
Municipal finance officers, treasurers, clerks, purchasing agents, tax collectors, commissioners of finance, council members, other municipal officials, and interested citizens are invited to enroll in the courses as long as the prerequisites are satisfied.
Introduction to Accounting
The CMFO curriculum includes a prerequisite of basic accounting knowledge to ensure that students are adequately prepared to complete the program. A minimum of six credits in Introduction to Financial Accounting and/or Managerial Accounting (Accounting 101 and 102) at the college level, or completion of the Introduction to Accounting course, is required prior to attendance in the Current Fund I and subsequent accounting courses. An opportunity to "test out” the introduction course is available for individuals whose experience with accounting principles has prepared them to meet the demands of the curriculum. To make arrangements to take the test, email ldemian@docs.rutgers.edu; the exam administration carries a $150 fee.
County Fiscal Operations for CCFO
Those wishing to become Certified County Finance Officers must successfully complete the County Fiscal Operations course. The course covers county government structure, state role in operations, legislative process, PERS, PFRS & deferred compensation, budgeting, CAPs, tax equalization, trust funds and grant accounting, capital finance, Local Bond Law, debt administration and reporting, treasury management, accounting, audit and financial reporting, audit requirements, and public procurement. Prerequisite: all accounting courses.
State Exam Requirements and Certification Information
For complete certification requirements for the CMFO designation, see N.J.S.A. 40A:9-140.1-3.
All eight courses are required before taking the New Jersey State CFMO exam. This state licensing exam is administered by the Division of Local Government Services, New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) twice a year. Additional information and the DCA application form are available at the DCA website.
For additional information on becoming a CMFO or CCFO, contact the Certification Unit, Division of Local Government Services, New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, at dlgs.certification@dca.nj.gov.